Coats Calls Out Obama’s New Immigration Policy

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U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, R-In., says President Obama is overstepping his authority by halting the deportation of young immigrants.

On Friday, the president ordered his administration to stop the expulsion of immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, which bypasses Congress and implements parts of the DREAM Act. The policy change takes effect immediately and gives younger immigrants immunity and the ability to apply for work permits as long as they have no criminal history and meet other criteria.

Coats says the decision grants amnesty to illegal immigrants and was made to benefit the president's re-election campaign.

From Sen. Coats' office:

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“The Obama administration’s announcement today is an obvious political move five months before Americans decide if the president deserves a second term. This new immigration policy effectively grants amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants. The administration is overstepping its authority and bypassing Congress to implement the goals of the proposed DREAM Act. Unfortunately, this move – ignoring the Constitution and legislating through federal bureaucrats – has become standard operation under this president.

As the son of a legal immigrant, I know that America is a land of opportunity that many people around the world want to experience so they can provide a better life for their families. The administration’s unilateral decision today to give amnesty to certain illegal immigrants is not the answer. Fixing our broken immigration system is something Congress should address once we’re beyond the politically-charged election season.”

Coast is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.